NEWS

THE government through the Ministry of Energy has allocated TZS 181 billion for rural electrification in 2021/22 fiscal year. Minister for Energy, Dr Medard Kalemani told the parliament on last week Wednesday that all villages will be electrified by the end of next year.

Tabling his ministry's TZS 2.3 trillion budget, Dr Kalemani said at least 1,956 villages are yet to be connected with electricity, and that with the coming fiscal year's budget, all villages across the country will be electrified under the third phase of the national rural electrification project, REA III round II.

Dr Kalemani said by December 2022, all 12,268 villages countrywide will be electrified. He said REA has already mapped the unconnected villages and engaged contractors who have been tested and passed, saying he was confident they will deliver within the stipulated timeline.

THE government through the Ministry of Energy has allocated 181bn/- for rural electrification in 2021/22 fiscal year. Minister for Energy, Dr Medard Kalemani told the parliament on Wednesday that all villages will be electrified by the end of next year.

Tabling his ministry's TZS 2.3 trillion budget, Dr Kalemani said at least 1,956 villages are yet to be connected with electricity, and that with the coming fiscal year's budget, all villages across the country will be electrified under the third phase of the national rural electrification project, REA III round II.

Dr Kalemani said by December 2022, all 12,268 villages countrywide will be electrified. He said REA has already mapped the unconnected villages and engaged contractors who have been tested and passed, saying he was confident they will deliver within the stipulated timeline.

The energy minister listed other projects that will be implemented in 2020/21 as Ruhudji project (358MW), Kakono (87MW), Rumakali (222MW), Malagarasi (45MW), Kikonge (300MW), Kinyerezi I Extension (185MW), Mtwara (300MW) and renewable energy projects (solar 150 megawatts, wind 200MW and coal 600MW).

"We're committed to increasing our power distribution networks," he added.

He said renewable energy projects and geothermal among others will be engaged because the government wants to have enough energy.

Other projects which are lined up for implementation in the coming financial year include the 400kV SingidaArusha- Namanga, 220kV Makambako- Songea, 220kV Bulyanhulu- Geita, 220kV Geita-Nyakanazi, 220kV Rusumo-Nyakanazi, and 400kV Iringa-Mbeya-Tunduma- Sumbawanga-MpandaKigoma-Nyakanazi, which is commonly known as Northwest grid.